Orvis Helios F 7’6″ 2-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Wonderful with a Scientific Anglers Trout Standard WF2, this model offers a true medium action and highlights Orvis’s ability to design a rod taper for the most specialized light rod in the series to cleverly match the best of the longer models with supple flex and an ideal loading point for a short graphite fly rod. In design, it has a slightly stiff tip section which forces flex into the middle of rod and brings out a delightful springy action, but the stiff tip integrates beautifully with the second section and feels neither heavy nor wobbly. Not only does this rod feel spectacular, it also casts and fishes in the ideal range for a graphite creek rod. Not limited to pocket water, the Helios F 7’6” 2-weight can fish up to about 35 feet and handle a leader up to 11’ in length, a versatile small water fly rod.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The 7’6” 2wt Helios F is a fantastic small water fishing tool. Just like all of the shorter Helios rods, it’s wonderfully light in hand and throws beautiful loops. The rod loads easily in close, forms a tight loop almost immediately, and still holds its form on longer casts. This is a very well-rounded little rod. Though it will be happiest throwing a single dry fly, it is also more than capable of handling a light dry dropper set-up as well. I paired this rod with the SA Amplitude Trout Standard WF2F line and was very pleased with the overall performance. This rod will handle any dry fly style taper but it is happiest with a shorter headed line like with the Trout Standard.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   I have an affinity for creek rods and this little stick made me smile ear to ear after the first cast. Too often, small, lightweight rods can seem trivial and overlooked for what they can do on the water; this rod should not. Despite its seemly small demeanor this 7.5’ 2wt is a true-blue fly fishing tool that will complement any creek fisher’s quiver. I found the backbone of the flex profile was in the middle to third blank section, allowing the better percentage of the blank to go to work. The line pickup felt great and can allow an angler to fire a follow up cast with an anticipated effort and accurately hit the mark when an opportunity presents itself. I cast this little creek assassin with an SA Amplitude Textured Trout Standard WF2 and found the line working effortlessly at short and moderate distances. This feels like a true moderate action rod that begs its owner to take to the hills or valleys holding native trout hungry for dry flies. I was seriously impressed by this fun little creek rod.

   Wes Yarnell (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is a cool little quick creek rod. An SA Trout standard felt just right to me. It is light for a 2 weight, airy but not hollow. You get a pleasant bend with an electric springiness that will leave you grinning, a soft touch with just the right amount of matter of fact-ness to the delivery. If I was picking little bitty Helios rods, this is the one I would line up for some small stream work.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

5. Rated 4 out of 5

   My general feeling is that shorter fly rods in the 0-3 wt category, specifically made for creek fishing, are experientially superior when made with fiberglass. Having said that, I really enjoyed casting this particular model, it had a great feel and laser like accuracy. The rod throws very nice loops and like its fiberglass cousins, it can turn over long leaders with very little fly line out of the tip of the rod. If you simply prefer the stability of graphite over the sometimes heavy and sloppy feel of a fiberglass rod, this one is fantastic.

   Troy Youngfleish (Telluride Angler)

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is a sweet little stick that I certainly enjoyed casting. It has a nice slow, soft feel and would be a super fun little creek rod. Like most small creek rods it was very accurate in close, however this rod also surprised me when casting at distance, as it performed very well beyond 30 feet. I found the SA Trout Standard to be an excellent pairing.

   Curtis Nelson (Telluride Angler)